Tigers are the largest of all cats and Bengal tigers such as this one in Ranthambhore can weigh up to 250kg

Ranthambhore remains one of the best places to see tigers in the wild, but is never guaranteed

A tiger resting in undergrowth in Kaziranga National Park, which is famous for its one-horned rhino

Each tiger has a unique pattern of stripes, like a human fingerprint, as seen on this tiger in Bandhavgarh National Park

A elusive tiger in Pench National Park, thought to have been the inspiration for Kipling's 'The Jungle Book'

A Bengal tiger cooling off in the water in Ranthambhore National Park. Unlike most cats tigers are not averse to water and are good swimmers

Seeing a tiger while on an elephant safari in Kanha National Park is a truly memorable experience

One of the tigers spotted at Pench by Harsha, while on his research project

A tiger and her 2 year old cubs on their way to a kill in Ranthambhore National Park. Cubs normally stay with their mother until they are about 2 1/2 years old

Tigers in Ranthambhore can often be spotted in broad daylight, while on a jeep safari

A tiger in Ranthambhore, the former hunting reserve of the Maharaja of Jaipur, with its historic fort and ruins

A tiger and her 7 month old cubs relaxing in a waterhole in Ranthambhore

The 'king of the jungle' no longer reigns supreme but through managed tourism the tiger population is being protected